Arban's for beginners?

[Raazait]

Hey all,

I am a classically trained pianist, and have been playing for over 10 years. Recently, I've picked up the trumpet, and would like to use it to help explore other styles, namely jazz. I've heard a lot about the Arban's book, and how it affected many horn players internationally. I was wondering if purchasing Arban's would be appropriate for my beginner skill level, and the style I'd like to learn. Thanks.
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[Pete]

The Arban's book is comprehensive in that it starts from beginner and goes to advanced rather quickly. I have used it along with other books such as Clarke's Tech. Studies, Colin Lip Flexibilities, Irons, etc. over the years, along with my students.

The best thing to do is take a few trumpet lessons with someone who can steer you in the right direction for what you want to accomplish.

Pete

[Croquethed]

Arban's may help you master the technical skills needed to play the trumpet, which might help you play jazz if you are familiar with theory through the piano.

[Tpt_Guy]

The Arban method advances pretty quickly and doesn't really spend a lot of time on ridumentary exercises. It's not really a good method (in my opinion) for self teaching. Arban was Professor of Cornet at the Paris Conservatory, and his method reflects that.

The Rubank series is pretty good. It moves forward at a decent rate and is on a good gradient so the student can get a sense of accomplishment moving through the exercises. After I made it through the Beginning and Intermediate books, I went to the Arban-Prescott book, which is selected exercises from Arban and not a massive discouraging tome.

I've also read praise of the Mitchell books, though I've not yet had an opportunity to look at them.
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[zaferis]

Agreed, Arban's great to have in the library as a comprehensive resource.

I like the Walter Beeler Book 1, and pair it with Getchell Book 1 as the student gains a little ability

Rubank's the old war horse, but effective as well.
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[kehaulani]

If you want to take a look at it for free there are PDFs on the internet. Just do a search.

Regardind books, Hickman has a book for beginners and comeback players that is paced very nicely. Also is a good series by Papa Mitchell.
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[TrumpetMD]

Good advice here.

The Arban Method may be a standard. But it's not all-encompassing. For example, as already stated, it has little information for beginners, both in the form of exercises and written direction.

Rubank, is what I used back in the day. I still use it today, as review material. There are many other good methods, too.

As someone also suggested, there are versions of The Arban Method in the public domain, and free to download. Here's one link to it, in case you want to determine for yourself if it's the book for you.

https://www.trumpetstudio.com/arban.html

Mike
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[dstdenis]

Hey Raazait,

The Arban method is a great book, but it's too difficult for beginners. The other books mentioned in this thread (Hickman, Mitchell, Beeler, Getchell, Rubank, etc.) would be much better choices. You should definitely work out of the Arban method at some point, but not first thing.
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[jerryv914]

Modern Arban/St Jacomes

https://www.jwpepper.com/Modern-Arban-Saint-Jacome-Meth-Tpt/729459.item#/submit


My First Arban


https://www.amazon.com/O5504-Trumpet-Introduction-Arbans-Conservatory/dp/0825841909

Both adaptations of Arban for the beginner.. much more accessible at first than the actual Arban. Excellent and highly recommended.

[Jordynbaxter]

I don't think the arban is much good for a complete beginner as most people blowing their first notes will struggle to hit a C in the staff never mind the 4th space Es that are on the first exercises in the arban book.

I'm in a similar position to you i just started before christmas with an interest in playing jazz (though i did play a bit when i was 10-12). I done a few beginner lessons/etudes from jeff lewis trumpet and then started on the arbans but as i say it was too high at the time, then someone put me onto the hickmans 100 progressive lessons book which imo advances at a really steady pace, i got through the first 3/4 in about a week and then have been getting through about 1 a week since.

I also got a copy of the abrsm jazz trumpet grade 1 books, the heads are all easy enough but my improv sucks. I know what i want to say in my head but the vocabulary just isnt there yet. I just last week got the willie thomas jazz anyone? book Bb book 1 and im on his jazz everyone site which is really cool, though again lesson 1 has you playing G above the staff which you might struggle with though i guess you play an octave down just to work on the phrasing and articulations..

This is one beginner to another so take my advice for what it is and good luck!

[Raazait]

[Don Herman rev2]

Our own Eric Bolvin has a great aide to Arbans:

The Arban Manual https://bolvinmusic.com/product/arban-manual/
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[Jordynbaxter]

[trumpetDS]

For adult beginners who want to move along quickly, I use the Walter Beeler Book 1&2. It hits all the fundamentals in a methodical order and is laid out well. Each lesson has lip slurs, technical studies, some range, some rhythm work, a duet, and usually a transcription or original etude. It is like Rubank but with way better flow. Arban's is fantastic of course but does not have any bridge from beginner to advanced intermediate. To give a simplified crude example of what I mean,it goes from basically 4th grade to 7-9th grade level and ignores 5th & 6th Graders.

[Billy B]

Just curious.

Why don't you explore Jazz and other styles through the piano?
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[khedger]